Nordic Fiddlers Bloc embrace the traditions of Shetland, Norway and Denmark, in addition to music furth of these northern locations.
Kevin Henderson of Shetland, Anders Hall of Sweden and Olag Luksengard Mjelva of Denmark bring together their own considerable talents and the traditions of their communities to produce music of a plangent, and since they are a trio, one might also say a planxty quality.
Their offering at the Queen’s Hall naturally consisted of tunes from all three places and beyond, demonstrating their dexterity and remarkable abilities. Playing a range of instruments including the famous double-stringed Hardanger fiddle of Norway, the three musicians performed faultlessly, from tunes that had no name, through a number of Swedish polskas (a reminder of the lengthy, if sometimes troubled relationship of Sweden and Poland), via the magnificent Paella Grande of Charlie McKerron’s composition, they produced a first half of outstanding playing, always with passion, conviction and a verve that was truly con brio.
The second half contained several Swedish and Danish dance tunes as well as the slow waltz known as Moonlight on the Water, possibly better known as the backing for a Country and Western number in which the singer promises to take the object of their affection out dancing tonight, here perfectly partnered by a decorated version of the Irish jig Bonaparte’s Retreat.
Nordic Fiddlers Bloc produced a circle of near-perfect light in the gathering darkness of approaching winter, and we were sent out into the night with a real spring in our step.